Farm Hand

Under direction of the stable manager, the farm hand helps the equestrian facility team, and assists in horse care, including but not limited to, feeding horses, medicating and grooming horses, turning horses in and out, and cleaning stalls. They are responsible for the daily care of horses and maintaining the facility grounds. Helps implement and run all aspects of programming, clinics, shows etc. Performs monetary transactions for payment of services, general assistance to the Equestrian Director, light office, administrative and veterinary duties as deemed necessary.

Essential Functions:

Farm Hand is expected to provide excellent client service, contributing to a positive atmosphere for the stables. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Help keep stable and grounds safe, clean, and orderly.
• Assist with daily horse care: feed, clean stalls, turn horses in and out, grooming and help with related tasks.
• Maintains equestrian center, pastures and horse stall areas.
• Prepares horses for rides.
• Exercise / riding on an as needed basis.
• May drive truck and horse trailer as necessary.
• Conducts pony rides.
• Assists daily care of all horses in ride program as needed.
• Maintains ride appointments.
• Greets members and guests with a positive, helpful attitude; handles ride registrations procedures.
• Maintain inventory and order supplies.
• Help with setup, planning, execution and tear down of all Equestrian Center programming and events.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Works diligently to maintain stables, recognizing that stable and horse management is physically demanding work
• When his/her regular duties are complete, takes initiative to find work that needs to be done or asks supervisor what is needed
• Follows directions well, and adopts new procedures and routines quickly
• Provides excellent member service, always courteous and respectful to members and guests
• Willingly helps with chores and tasks out of the routine scope of duties when necessary to ensure smooth operation of the stable and quality horse care.
• Exhibits teamwork assists colleagues when necessary to ensure tasks get done
• Able to operate tractor, utility cart, blower and small power tools.
• Basic knowledge and demonstration of equine and human first aid.
• Ability to recognize a sick or lame horse.
• Ability to exercise sounds judgement and discretion, follow instructions completely with attention to detail.
• Must speak fluent English and possess excellent communication skills.
• Must be able to multitask through disruptions and meet daily deadlines.
• Must be able to remain focused and work effectively, efficiently alone and with a team.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Must be able to remain calm, think clearly and act quickly during emergency situations.

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED
• Some maintenance experiences
• Minimum of two years professional horse husbandry experience.
• Valid US Driver License
• Mandatory 2+ years equine experience and hospitality experience a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Capable of working extended hours, to include weekends, evenings, nights and holidays.
• Frequently perform reaching, bending, pushing, pulling, twisting, lifting and climbing.
• Frequent need to perform standing and walking activities. Position is primarily walking, standing and movement throughout the day for long periods of time.
• Position may involve riding, exercising and/or lunging of horses.
• Requires the regular exertion of up to 50 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of more than 50 pounds of force.
• Requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception and peripheral vision. Operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment (inc. farm equipment, routine equine tools) and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires working near moving mechanical parts.
• Ability to withstand sights and smells that are associated with equestrian work.
• Must be able to perform job duties both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.  

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